Epson recommends setting color mgmt. in CS2 to No Color Mgmt. Is that what everyone is using? If you choose to let photoshop manage colors is it essentially bypassing the entire advanced b&w function?
I just find it a bit strange that the paper companies provide profiles (or you order a custom) and then you ignore it when you print advanced b&w. That leaves the only controls to be in the advanced section of advanced b&w, such as printing darker or normal, toning, etc.?
Is anyone using a RIP for printing b&w with the standard inks, and if so, does it yield superior results? If yes, any good RIPs that are not too pricey?
For Hahnemuhle Rag, Hahnemule recommends selecting either the Velvet or the Watercolor white paper. My Velvet setting is greyed out, so I have to use Watercolor (same recommendation as Moab Entrada). Red River Dourian, which is the same paper as the rag, recommends enhanced matte in one place and watercolor in another. Does this setting make a whole lot of difference?
Any other tips to pass along? Any advice is appreciated.
Essentially you want either Photoshop or the printer driver to manage color but not both, which can have unexpected results.
Advanced B&W is not using standard ICC profiles for color management so yes, if you want to use it the only controls you have are the ones provided in the printer driver. My experience was pretty positive in general - tones are good and color is neutral, but it doesn't allow you very precise/repeatable control.
I use QuadTone RIP with a number of paper. Unfortunately the distribution has pretty dismal support for K3 curves and you may have to find someone to make a custom curve for it.
If "Velvet" is greyed out it may be that you're using Photo Black. If that's the case you may want to switch to Matte Black for the rag papers. I use the double-sided matte setting on my 2400. Really all this does is change the resolution options and default paper path (or rather it might pop up a warning if it thinks you're feeding paper the wrong way).
Discussion
2 repliesI just find it a bit strange that the paper companies provide profiles (or you order a custom) and then you ignore it when you print advanced b&w. That leaves the only controls to be in the advanced section of advanced b&w, such as printing darker or normal, toning, etc.?
Is anyone using a RIP for printing b&w with the standard inks, and if so, does it yield superior results? If yes, any good RIPs that are not too pricey?
For Hahnemuhle Rag, Hahnemule recommends selecting either the Velvet or the Watercolor white paper. My Velvet setting is greyed out, so I have to use Watercolor (same recommendation as Moab Entrada). Red River Dourian, which is the same paper as the rag, recommends enhanced matte in one place and watercolor in another. Does this setting make a whole lot of difference?
Any other tips to pass along? Any advice is appreciated.
Advanced B&W is not using standard ICC profiles for color management so yes, if you want to use it the only controls you have are the ones provided in the printer driver. My experience was pretty positive in general - tones are good and color is neutral, but it doesn't allow you very precise/repeatable control.
I use QuadTone RIP with a number of paper. Unfortunately the distribution has pretty dismal support for K3 curves and you may have to find someone to make a custom curve for it.
If "Velvet" is greyed out it may be that you're using Photo Black. If that's the case you may want to switch to Matte Black for the rag papers. I use the double-sided matte setting on my 2400. Really all this does is change the resolution options and default paper path (or rather it might pop up a warning if it thinks you're feeding paper the wrong way).
Guy
I am using matte black. It is all I have ever used since I got it. Not sure why Velvet is greyed out with it.